Reid, Thomas B.

Other Events:

• 1860 Census: 1860, Nunda, Livingston, New York, USA
• Residence: 1884, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Political Office: Between 1898 and 1907; United States Marshall for Eastern Wisconsin (appointed by Pres. McKinley)
• 1900 Census: 1900, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• 1905 State Census: 1905, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• 1910 Census: 1910, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA
• Biography: 1911; History of Outagamie County, Wisconsin Page 1096
• Obituary: 2 Jan 1925; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

1860 Census:
William Reid60
Ann Reid50
William Reid20
Thomas Reid16
Alexander J Reid14

Residence:
Name:Thomas B. Reid
Location 2:e. s. Green Bay, 4 n. College avenue
Business Name:Appleton Post
Occupation:editor
Year:1884
City:Appleton
State:WI

1900 Census:
Thomas Reid54
Estella R Reid28
Frida Boritzky17

1905 State Census:
Thomas B Reed60
Estella Reed33
Lena Mekhion26

1910 Census:
Thomas B Reid64
Estelle R Reid37
Anna Mullen23

Biography:
THOMAS B. REID was born in Nunda, Livingston county, New York, December 15, 1844. He commenced the printing business when sixteen years old: He worked his way through the common schools and academy. In the spring of 1864 he came west and secured a position of reporter on the Dubuque Times. He made something of a record in writing up, for the press generally, a series of joint debates between distinguished orators in the last presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln. Those literary efforts would be considered as lurid exploitations of a crude but fertile imagery. That they were given space is evidence that western pioneer journalism depended more on the javelins of withering invectives than rhythmic criticisms, to give tone to its columns. Mr. Reid moved to Wisconsin in 1865 and founded, with his brother, the Oconomowoc Badger. In the fall of 1867 he sold the Oconomowoc paper and purchased a half interest in the Waukesha Freeman. On March 10, 1869, he married Augusta Ray, daughter of the late Adam E. Ray of Waukesha. Mrs. Reid died February 10, 1886. One child was born to Mr. and Mrs. Reid, namely, Estelle Ray Reid. Mr. Reid remained as the editor of the Waukesha Freeman for nearly three years, when he aspired to a broader field of usefulness. He then disposed of his interest in the Freeman, formed a partnership with Col. J. A. Watrous, purchased the Weekly Conmmonwealth at Fond du Lac, then the second city of the state. The following year they established the Daily Commonwealth. This paper was recognized as one of force and character and influence in civic as well as in political campaigns. Mr. Reid remained with the Commonwealth until Fond du Lac commenced to deteriorate as a manufacturing and commercial center. He then disposed of his interests in the paper and moved to Menasha and Neenah, where he established the Press in the former city. This locality was rapidly becoming a railroad center. In manufacturing it had already acquired prominence. The consolidation of the two municipalities seemed all that was necessary to crowd the combination into metropolitan proportions. This proposition Mr. Reid vigorously advocated through the columns of the Press. His policy developed only riotous feeling in both towns, culminating in a perpetual fight that continued during the years of his labor in that field. Few feasts and many famines were the awards of his thankless toil. In 1875 Mr. Reid was elected assistant chief clerk in the Senate. In 1876 and 1877 he was elected sergeant-at-arms of the Assembly. In 1877 he was appointed Consul to Portugal. He returned home in 1881, entered the firm of the Post Publishing Company and, with his brother, became active in its business and editorial departments. Much of the prestige and influence which this paper admittedly wielded in state politics for the last quarter of a century was largely due to his ability and versatility as an editorial writer. In an argument with his opponent-political or otherwiseno one understood better than he the Daniel O'Connell art of sesquipedalian thunder.
In 1898 Thomas B. Reid was appointed by President McKinley as United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. This position he held for nine years. In fulfilling the duties of this difficult office he made for himself an enviable record. He showed himself a thoroughly efficient officer, upholding all the rights of the Federal Government; yet in attainment of these rights, he never lost sight of the element of clemency which never appears more enviable than in the administration of justice.
In a social way Mr. Reid is much sought for among his many friends, as his well known gift of anecdote and his inexhaustible fund of Irish wit and humor are sure to constitute the life and mirth of the festal gathering. While retired from the more active walks of life, he still maintains a keen interest in all the civic and political activities of the community and the state at large. He lives with his accomplished daughter in their beautiful home on the bank of the Fox river in the city of Appleton.

Obituary:
NO WORD HERE ON REIDS FUNERAL
No word has been received in Appleton concerning funeral arrangements for Thomas B. Reid, veteran newspaper editor and publisher, who died Thursday night in Phoenix. Ariz Tho onlv message received heie stated that because of Miss Estella Reid's nervous condition the return to Appleton would be delayed Mi>s Reid is the daughter of Mr Reid.
Appleton Post Crescent | Appleton, Wisconsin | Saturday, January 03, 1925 | Page 1
Keep Reid In Phoenix For Month
The body of Thomas B. Reid, veteran Appleton newspaper publisher who died in Phoenix, Ariz, last week, will not be brought to Appleton for a month or five weeks, according to messages received here. Miss Estella Reid, his daughter, who was with Mr Read when he died, is said to be in a highly nervous conditon. The Phoenix Rotary club is keep- ing Appleton Rotaxlans informed as to funeral plans and is assistlng in every way possible in making arrangements for temporary Interment at Phoenix and for returning the body to Appleton.
Appleton Post Crescent | Appleton, Wisconsin | Monday, January 05, 1925 | Page 1
THOMAS B. REID DIES IN PHOENIX ARIZ.
Continued from page 1
once only a few years. It was not until 17 years leter that the brothers united apain in the same enterprise. I Thomas B. Rein was editor ot" the I Waukesha Freeman for about three years when lie disposed of his interest in this paper and formed a part: nership with Col. J. A. "Watroue, a well Known Journalist who died a few years apo, and totrether they purchased the Fond du lUic 'Weekly CommonwenlUi. A year later they es- I tabllshed the- Daily Commonwealth ' which .'till is in existence. The paper was Influential in Wisconsin politics. STARTED MEXASHA PRESS Several years later Mr. Reid moved to Xeenah and Menasha where he PS > tabllEhed the Menasha Press. While I here he devoted himself assiduously i 10 the project of consolidating the I two cities but which never materialized. His fast newspaper venture was to again join his brother and to become identified, with the editorial and business deoartments of the Appleton Post. This was in 1SS1. Although he held political ofBce after this date, he continued to write for the Post and did not sever relations with the naper until about five years ago. CONSUL TO PORTUGAL In 1S75 "he was elected assistant chief clerk of the state senate at Madison nncUn;iS76 ana 1ST? he served as sergreant- of-arms in the state assembly. In 1ST" he was sent by President Rutherford E. Hare? as consul to Portugal in which capacity he was active for two years. The office of United States marshal for the East again.
Former Editor Was Leader IN State Politics
Veteran Newspaper Publisher Dies During Night at Phoenix.
Message States STRICKEN WITH PNEUMONIA Became Ill Shortly After Reaching West Where He Planned to Spend Winter
Thomas B Reid, dean of Wisconsin Journalists editor of the Appleton Post for a half century and for many years a leading figure in Appleton's development, died during the night at Phoenix. Ariz,, where he had been ill from pneumonia for more than two weeks. Mr. Reid was 8I years oId. With him at the time of his death was Miss Estelle Reid, his daughter who went west with him the day after Thanksgiving day, Intending to spend the winter in Arizona Mr. Reid was taken ill about a week before Christmas and it was feared from the start he could not recover His condition showed improvement about Christmas but he sank rapidly just before New Years and on Thursday physicians said death was only a matter of hours. Messages received here did not state when Mr. Reid died. They merely said Mr. Reid passed quietly away during the night. Arrangements for his funeral have not been started. It Is believed, however. the body will be started back to Appleton immediately. Mr. Reid's health had been good up to the time of leaving for Arizona, but his advanced age was weighing more heavily on him. In the last two or three years his step had show indications of faltering and his walk was slower, but he was as keenly alive to current events as ever before and his witticisms were as keen and interesting as in his younger years. The death of Mr. Reid ends the career of one of the most picturesque figures in the history of Wisconsin. His resourceful command of language, his fighting spirit and his skill of invec- tive made him a writer to be feared by by the forces whom he opposed. Yet while always being ready to fight for what he thought was right, he was not the man who would knowingly attempt anything that would cause pain to any living thing. He was one of the last surviving members of the old school of Journalism that was characterized by a vigorous style, point-blank attack and withering invective. Nearly his whole life was wrapped up in newspaper work. He entered the field when he was but sixteen years old and remained in it actively for 60 years. He was also a well known figure in state politics and an ardent supporter of his party. In his earlier life he held several appointive positions in the state senate and assembly and later he served first as United States consul to Portugal and next as United States marshal. The greater part of his life, however, was linked with the editorial and business management of the Appleton Post which he relinquished about five years ago after nearly 40 years of service.
BORN IN NEW YORK
Mr. Reid was born in Nunda, Livingston Co New York, on Dec. 15. 1843. He started on his newspaper career by engaging in the printing business when he was 16 years of age. After working his way through the elementary schools and the academy, he heeded Horace Greely's advice "Go West Young Man, Go West," and in the spring of 1864 secured a position as reporter on the Dubuque Times. During these his early years in newspaperdom he attracted attention in reporting for the press generally a series of debates between distinguish- ed orators in the last presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln, which was during the Civil war. It was in this territory and in this work that he developed the style which charact- orized his later journalistic endeavors. COMES TO WISCONSIN About 1865 Mr. Reid moved to Oconomowoc where his parents had settled on a farm. Here with his brother Alexander J. Reid he found- ed the Oconomowoc Ridge. Two years later he disposed of the Ocono- mowoc paper and purchased a half interest in the Waukesha Freem??. The same year his brother came to Appleton to enter Lawrence univer- city. While attending college here he assumed control of the Appleton post which had then been in exist- ence only a few years.
Thomas B. Reid
Spouse: Augusta Ray
Born: December 15, 1843
Place of Birth: Nunda, NY
Obituary
Newspaper: Post-Crescent
Notice Date: January 2, 1925
Section: Page: 4 Type: OB
Notes age 81, former Appleton Post editor, established Menasha Press

Thomas married Ray, Augusta 10 Mar 1869. Augusta died 10 Feb 1886. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Obituary: 29 Mar 1932; Appleton Post Crescent

Notes:

Obituary:
See Image MISS REID DIES IN CALIFORNIA, Death in Hospital Follows Stroke Suffered Late in January
Miss Estelle Ray Reid. 62. Appleton, died early Tuesday morning at Scripps Memorial hospital, La Jolla. Calif., according to word received here, at 11 o'clock this morning by M. D. Smiley. Miss Reid suffered a stroke the latter part of January and since that time had been in the hospital. She was born in Menasha in 1870 the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. T. B. Reid. At an early age she went to Madeira Islands where Mr. Reid was United States consul. In 1882 the family came to Appleton and lived on E. Green Bay-st. Mr. Reid for many years was editor of the Appleton Post. Miss Reid traveled extensively in later years, making several trips around the world. She spent several winters in Africa. She was a. graduate of the Chicago Art Insti- tute and for several years studied art in New York. During the past two winters she was a member of an art colony in La Jolla where she established her residence. Miss Reid an ardent golfer and was a member of the Riverview Country club in this city. The body will be brought to Ap- pleton for burial, but funeral ar- rangements have not been completed.
Appleton Post Crescent | Appleton, Wisconsin | Tuesday, March 29, 1932 | Page 4
MISS ESTELLE REID
The body of Miss Estelle Ray Reid, who died Tuesday at Scripps Mem- orial hospital, La Jolla, Calif., is expected to arrive in Appleton Sunday and twill be taken to the Brettschneider Funeral home where it will re- main until Monday morning. It will then be taken to Riverside chapel where funeral services will be held at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon. The Rev. L. D. Utts will be in charge and burial will take place in Riverside cemetery.
Appleton Post Crescent | Appleton, Wisconsin | Friday, April 01, 1932 | Page 4